Aeroplane, hydroplane, and the like.



G. M. ROBBINS. "I AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATIO N FILE-D AUG-3|. 19.17.

1,269,645. Patented June 18, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET l- ATTO RNEYS *G. MJ ROBBINS. 'AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, ANDTHE LIKE.

' APPLICATION-FILED AUG-31.1917.

" Pat'ented Jun 18, 1918.

S-SHEETS-SHEET 2.

e. M. ROBBINS. I AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.' APPLICATION FILEDAUG-31. 1911-.- 1,269,645. I Patented June 18, 1918.

3 $HEETSSHE1ET 3.

GEORGE M. ROBBINS, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

AEROPLANE, HYDROPLANE, AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J 11116 18, 1918.-

Application filed August 31, 1917. Serial No. 189,052.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, GEORGE M. Roenm s, acitizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essexand State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Aeroplanes, Hydroplanes, and the like; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, and to characters of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specifica tion. The presentinvention has reference, generally, to improvements in aeroplanes,hydroplanes, and the like; and the invention relates, more particularly,to an improved construction of body, sustaining planes and steeringplanes, said body being provided with a novel construction andarrangement of permanent parachute-like structure adapted to provide a.safety device in the event the aeroplane or the like becomes disabledduring flight.

The invention has for its principal object to provide a novelconstruction of body for aeroplanes and the like, which is provided witha novel arrangement of parachute-like structure built into the body as apermanent part thereof, and so arranged as to provide a certain degreeof buoyancy to said body in the event of accident, so as to resist thepull of gravity, and cause the aeroplane, or the like, to descend to th'ground with less danger of the destruction 'of the same and injury toits occupants.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide, in connectionwith a body of the kind above referred to, a novel arrangement andcombination of sustaining planes and steering planes.

Other objects of the present invention, not flt'tllls time moreparticularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the followingdetailed description of the same.

\Vith the various objects of my present invention in view, the sameconsists, primarily, in the novel construction of aeroplane and thelike, hereinafter set forth; and the invention consists, furthermore, inthe novel arrangements and combinations of the various devices andparts, as well as in the details of the construct1on of said devices andparts, all of which will be more fully described in the followingspecification, and then finally embodied in the claims appended thereto.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Figure l is a top or plan view of the novel construction ofaeroplane, and the like, made according to and embodying the principlesof my present invention; Fig. 2 is a bottom view of the same; Fig. 3 isa side elevation of the same; Fig. 4: is a longitudinal central verticalsection through the same; and Fig. 5 is a lateral cross section throughthe same, taken on line 55 in said F ig.-"3, looking in the direction ofthe arrow :0.

Similar characters of reference are employed in all of the hereinabovedescribed views to indicate corresponding parts.

Referring now to the said drawings, the reference character 1 indicatesthe complete aeroplane structure made according to and embodying theprinciples of my invention, the same comprising anelongatedsubstantially cigar-shaped body portion. This body-portioncomprises, essentially, an upper hemisphere and an under hemisphere.

material, and in cases where the air-craft,

of which it forms a part, is to be constructed to serve as a hydroplane,the same is rendered water-tight. The upper hemisphere consists of aparachute-like structure or dome 7, having sides 8 which merge into the,nose 4 and sternp0int 5 of the complete structure. This -paracl1ute-likestructure 7 comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending outwardlybowed ribs 9, which are fixed to the nose-block 10 and'stern-block 11,the latter portions being rigidly. con-' nected with the body-proper atthe bow and stern thereof respectively.- Stretched over the frame-workthus provided by said ribs 9 is a covering of suitable fabric formingthe body 7 and sides 8 of-said parachutelike structure. Set into (theframe-work formed by said ribs 9, so as .to-be centrally located withreference to said parachute like structure, is an annular frame-piece 12which bounds an air-escape opening 13 at the top of said parachute-likestructure, the fabric-covering being secured to said framepiece 12 so asto leave open the interior space boundedthereby. The sides 8 of saidparachute-like structure are spaced apart laterally a greater distanceamid-ships than. the sides 3 of thebody-proper 2 are distanced,consequently-the former overhang and are outwardly spaced from thelatter" so as to provide at each side of the structure, in a horizontalplane, longitudinally extending openings 14: through which air may rushupward into the interior of said parachutelike structure. The sides 3of. the bodyproper 2 are also given a slight downwardly owedlongitudinal curve whereby longitudinally extending-openings 15, in avertical plane, are provided through which the occupants of theair-craft may obtain outward vision. In orderto rigidly brace the.

- are secured in supporting relation to the ribs 9-by their upperportions, and are secured to the body-proper 2 by their lower-'portions.

When desired a platform 17 may be secured to the frame-work of saidparachutelike structure beneath the air-escape opening 13, and uponwhich a suitable gun, and

operator-therefor, may be mounted to extend outwardly through saidopening 13, when the air-craft is used for war purposes. I

A suitable propeller 18 is mounted at the nose 4 of the air-craft, sothat the driving shaft 19 thereof extends rearwardly through thenose-block 10 into the interior of the body-proper 2, where itisoperatively conedge 21 of said planes, the same then bowing downward toextend beneath and laterally across the sides 8 of said parachute-likestructure, and in fixed relation thereto. The rearward ends of saidplanes 20 are secured to a transverse supportin brace 24, which ,cxtendsbeneath and latera ly across the sides 8 of said arachute-likestructure, and in fixed relation thereto, but the free-ends of which arefree and slightly flexible, whereby the lower outer. corners 25 of theplanes 2O same.

are rendered slightly movable out'of normal plane in either an upward ordownward direction, when desired.

Supported in connection with the stern wardly extending vertical post32, from the extremities of which run the guy-wires 33 to extendingvertical post 31 and a downsuitable points adjacent to theperipheries'.

of the planes, so that the same are not only rigidly braced, but so thatthe pull of control wires or tiller-wires 34, which are sea cured tosaid posts 31 and 32, may be operatively transmitted to the planes toeffect a desired movement and positioning of the Preferably said controlwires or tiller-wires 34 extend forwardly into the interior of thebody-proper, and are there properly secured to suitable control levers35, whereby the same may be properly manipulated by the pilot. v i

It will be clearly understood that the relation of the parachute-likestructure to the body-proper of the aeroplane is such, that in'the eventthe aeroplane is disabled during flight, from any cause, and starts todrop, the air will rush upwardly through the openings 14 into theinterior of said parachutelike structure, thus offering'a resistance tothe downward pull of gravity, which will tend to steady the aeroplaneand maintain the same in normal position upon an even keel; andfurthermore, the air thus received within the interior of theparachute-likestructure is permitted to escape more slowly through-theair-escape opening 13, thus tending to prevent rocking or side-swagingof the aeroplane, and tending to permit the gradual descent of the sameto the ground.

My invention, therefore, provides a novel structure of body foraeroplanes, which is qualified to increase the factor of safety, and toprovide insurance against sudden and uncontrolled dropping ofthe same in.case of disablement. i

I am aware that some changes may be made in the arrangements andcombinations of the various devices and parts, as well as in the detailsof the construction of the same, without departing from the scope of mypresent invention as set forth in the foregoing specification and asdefined in the claims appended hereto. Hence, I do not limit myinvention to the exactarrangements and combinations of the various partsbody-proper, an annular frame-piece pr0-- riding an air escape openingfixed in the top of said frame-work intermediate of its ends, t'ansverse annular braces interconnecting said ribs with saidbody-proper, a covering supported by said frame-work, and the Sl( emarginal edge of said frame-work be ing spaced laterally outward fromthe side marginal edges of said body-proper to provide side openingsthrough which air may rush upwardly into the interior of saidparachute-like structure.

2. In an aeroplane structure the combination with an elongated boat-likebodyproper of a parachute-like structure comprising a frame-workcomposed of a plurality of outwardlv bowed ribs fixed to and extendingbetween the bow and stern of said body-proper, an annular frame-pleceproviding an air escape opening fixed in the top of said frameworkintermediate of its ends, transverse annular bracesinterconnecting saidribs with said body-proper, a

covering supported by said frame-work, the side marginal edges of saidframe-workbe ing spaced laterally outward from the side marginal edgesof said body-proper to provide side openings through which air may rushupwardly into the interior of said parachutedike structure, laterallyextending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-likestructure, tail-planes at the stern end of said parachute plane andsteering planes hinged to the rear-edge of said tailplane.

3. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, thelower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upperhalf of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of saidparachute-like structure flaring outwardly beyond the sides of saidboat-like bodyproper to provide longitudinal side openings in horizontalplane through which air may rush upwardly into the interior of saidparachute-like structure, and means providing an air escape opening inthe 11pper wall of said parachute-like structures- 4. In an aeroplanestructure a substantially cigar-shaped body, the lower half of whichconstitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the. upper half of whichconstitutes a parachute-like structure. the sides of said parachute-likestructure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond thesides of said boat-like body-properto provide longitudinal side openingsin horizontal plane through which airinay rush upwardly into theinterior of said parachute-like structure, and the sides of saidboat-like body proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow andstern to provide longitudinal side openings in vertical plane throughwhich outward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had.

In an aero 'ilane structure a substan-' tially cigar-shaped body, thelower half-of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upperhalf of which constitutes 'a parachute-like structure, the sides of saidparachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow andstern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-proper to providelongitudinal side openings in horizontal plane through which air mayrush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-like structure, andthe sides of said boat-like body-proper curving downward y intermediateof the bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in verticallane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-propermay be had, and means providing an air escape opening in the upper -wallof said parachute-like structure.

6. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigarshaped body, the lowerhalf of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upper half ofwhich con-stitutes'a parachute-like structure, the sides of saidparachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow andstern beyond the sides of said boat-like body proper to providelongitudinal side openings in hori zontal upwardy into the interior ofsaid parachute-like structure, and the sides of said boat-likebody-proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern toprovide longitudinal side openings in vertical plane through whichoutward vision from the interior of said body-proper may be had, meansproviding an air escape opening in the upper wall of said parachute-likestructure, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with saidparachute-like struc ture, tail-planes at the stern end of saidparachute-like structure, and a starboard and port steering-plane hingedto the rearedge. of said tail-plane.

7. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, thelowerhalf of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper,

and the upper half of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, thesides of said parachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate ofthe bow and stern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-propel toprovide longitudinal side openings in horizontal lane through which airmay rush 1 into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and thesides of said boat-like body: proper curving downwardly intermediate ofthe bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in verticalplane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-propermay be had, laterally extending sustaining planes connected with saidparachute-like structure, tail-planes at the stern end of saidparachute-like structure, and a starboard and port steering-plane hingedto the rear-edge of said tail-plane.

8. In an aeroplane structure-the combination with an elongated boat-likebody-proper of a parachute-like structure joining the bow and sternportions of the body-proper so as to extend longitudinally above thelatter, said parachute-like structure being wider in the beam than saidbody-proper to provide side openings through which airmay rush upwardlyinto the interior of said parachutelike structure, said parachute-likestructure having an opening in its upper portion through which the airmay escape upwardly and outwardly from the interior of saidparachute-like structure, laterally extending sustaining planesconnected with said parachute-like structure, the same incliningslightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantaliver bracesfor stifl'ening and holding rigid the forward edges of said planes,braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes, said braces beingfree to flex verticallyat their outer ends whereby the outer rearwardcorners of said planes may be warped upwardly or downwardly out ofnormal plane, tail-planes extending out- .wardly from each side at thestern end of said parachute-like structure, and'an independently movablestarboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear edges of saidtail-planes.

9. In an aeroplane structure the combination with an elongated boat-likebody-proper of a parachute-like structure comprising a frame-workcomposed of a plurality of outwardly bowed ribs fixed to and extendingbetween the bow and stern of said bodyproper, an annular frame-pieceproviding an air escape opening fixed in the top of said.

frame-work intermediate of its ends, transverse annular bracesinterconnecting said ribs with said body-proper, a covering supported bysaid frame-work, the side marginal edges of said frame-work being spacedlaterally outward from the side marginal edges of said body-proper toprovide side openings through which air may rush upwardly into theinterior of said parachutelike structure, laterally extending sustainingplanes connected with said parachute-like structure, the same incliningslightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantaliver bracesfor stiffening and holding rigid the forward edges of saidplanes,;braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes,

said braces being free to flex vertically at parachute-like structure,the sides of said parachutedike structure flaring outwardly I beyond thesides of said boat-like bodyproper to provide longitudinal side openingsthrough which air may rush up'wardly into the interior of saidparachute-like structure, laterally extending sustainin planes connectedwith said parachute-like structure, the same inclining slightly downwardfrom their forward edges rearward, cantaliver braces for stifi'enin andholding rigid the forward edges of said planes, braces for supportingthe rear edges of said planes, said braces being free to flex verticallyat their outer ends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planesmay be warped upward or downward out of normal plane, tailplanesextending outwardly from each side at the stern end of saidparachute-like structure, and an independently movable starboard andport steering plane hinged to the rear-edges of said tail-planes.

11. In an aeroplane structure a substantially'cigar-shaped body. thelower half of which constitutes a boat-likebody-proper, and the upperhalf of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of saidparachute-like structure flaring outwardly beyond the sides of saidboat-like bodyproper to provide longitudinal side openings through whichair may rush upwardly into the interior of said parachute-likestructure,

means providing an air escape opening in the upper wall of saidparachute-like structure, laterally extending sustaining planesconnected with said parachute-like structure, the same incliningslightly downward from their forward edges rearward, cantatheir outerends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planes may be warpedupward or downward out of normal plane, tailplanes extending outwardlyfrom each side at the stern end of said parachute-like structure, and anindependently movable starboard and port steering plane hinged to therear edges of said tail-planes.

12. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, thelower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and'the upperhalf of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of saidparachute-like structure flaring outwardly intermediate of the bow andstern beyond the sides of said boat-like body-proper to providelongitudinal side openings in ori zontal dplane through which air mayrush upwar y into the interior of said parachute-like structure, and thesides of said boat-like body-proper curving downwardly intermediate ofthe bow and stern to provide longitudinal side openings in verticalplane through which outward vision from the interior of said body-propermay be had, laterally extending sustainin planes connected with saidparachute-like structure, the same inclinin slightly downward from theirforward e ges rearward, cantaliver braces for stifiening and holding riid the forward edges of said planes, braces fin supporting the rearedges of said lanes, said braces being free to flex vertica ly at theirouter ends whereby the outer rearward corners of said planes may bewarped upward v or downward out of normal plane, tailplanes extendingoutwardly from each side at the stern end of said parachute-likestructure, and an independently movable starboard and port steeringplane hinged to the rear edges of said tail-planes.

13. In an aeroplane structure a substantially cigar-shaped body, thelower half of which constitutes a boat-like body-proper, and the upperhalf of which constitutes a parachute-like structure, the sides of saidparachute-like longitudinal side 4 the same inclinin structure flaringoutwardly intermediate of the bow and stern beyond the sides of saidboat-like body-proper to provide longitudinal side openings inhorizontal plane through which air may rush upwardly into the interiorof said parachute-like structure, and the sides of sai boat-likebody-proper curving downwardly intermediate of the bow and stern toprovide openings in vertical plane through which outward vision from theinterior of said body-proper may be had, means providing an air escapeopening in the upper wall of said parachute-like structure, laterallyextending sustaining planes connected with said parachute-likestructure, slightly downward from their forward e ges rearward,cantaliver braces for stiflening and holding rigid the forward edges ofsaid planes, braces for supporting the rear edges of said planes, saidbraces being free to flex vertically at their outer ends whereby theouter rearward cor ners of said planes may be warped upward or downwardout of normal plane, tailplanes extending outwardly from each side atthe stern end of said parachute-like structure, and an independentlymovable starboard and port steering plane hinged to the rear-edges ofsaid tail-planes.

In testimony, that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereuntoset my hand this 27th day of August, 1917 GEORGE M. ROBBINS.

Witnesses Fnnnx. C. Fmnn'rznn, Freon. H. W. FRAENTZEL.

